Islamabad, Feb 6 (IANS): Pakistani authors Intizar Hussain, Bilal Tanweer, H.M. Naqvi and Indian authors Nayantara Sahgal and Arshia Sattar would be part of the Karachi Literature Festival that begins today (Friday).

More than 200 speakers, including 37 from nine countries apart from Pakistan, would express their views on a variety of topics during the 80-plus sessions that will take place over the course of three days. No fewer than 28 books will also be launched, with experts shedding light on their salient features, Dawn reported.

Indian author Benyamin, publisher of a prominent Indian publication house Karthika V.K. and Bollywood actress Tisca Chopra would also be attending the festival, which will conclude Feb 8 at the Beach Luxury Hotel.

Those interested in the performing arts would enjoy the traditional art forms of dastangoi (a 16th-century Urdu oral storytelling art form) and mushaira (a poetic symposium).

The literary event, which is in its sixth edition has previously been attended by the likes of Vikram Seth, Hanif Kureishi, William Dalrymple and Karen Armstrong.